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Altamont Gardens, Tullow, Co. Carlow
Contact: Pauline Dowling/Paul Cutler
t: + 353 (0) 59 9159444
f: + 353 (0) 59 9159510
e: altamontgardens@opw.ie
w: www.heritageireland.ie or www.carlowtourism.com/gardens.html
Widely respected as the jewel in Ireland’s gardening crown, Altamont Gardens are an enchanting blend of formal and informal gardens with riverside walks covering over 40 acres. The estate gains much of its character from the many mature trees, both natives in the avenues and woodland areas, and exotic specimens throughout the gardens. Lawns bisected by sculpted yews slope down to a lake surrounded by rare trees and rhododendrons and lead in turn to a very different garden featuring unusual shrubs and trees. A fascinating walk through the Arboretum, Bog Garden and Ice Age Glen with its canopy of ancient oaks and huge stone outcrops leads the visitor to the River Slaney.
Altamont is a great experience at any time of year starting in spring with the wonderful snowdrop collection, one of the largest in Ireland and moving on to daffodils and other spring bulbs. Rhododendrons, azaleas and later on the rose collection is in full bloom in mid-summer, followed by contrasting autumnal colours and the beautiful silhouettes of the mighty trees in mid-winter.
Facilities:
Toilets, outdoor picnic tables, large car and coach park, restricted access for wheelchairs.
Directions: From Carlow Town follow the main N80 Carlow – Wexford road until you reach the village of Ballon. The gardens are 5km from the village of Ballon, off the N80. From Tullow follow signs for the Bunclody Road (N81). Altamont Gardens are 3 km from its junction with the Wexford road (N80).
OPENING TIMES:
January 9.00am - 4.00pm, Mon - Thurs. 9.00am - 3.30pm Fri. Closed
weekends.
February: 9.00am - 4.00pm, 7 days per week
March: 9.00am - 5.00pm, 7 days per week
April: 9.00am - 6.00pm, 7 days per week
May - August: 9.00am - 7.30pm, 7 days per week
September: 9.00am - 6.30pm, 7 days per week
October: 9.00am - 5.30pm, 7 days per week
Nov - Dec: 9.00am - 4.00pm, Mon - Thurs. 9.00am - 3.30pm, Fri. Closed weekends. Check for Christmas opening times.
ADMISSION CHARGES: Free individual admission. Guided tours available for groups by prior appointment – adults €2.75, OAPs €2.
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Altamont Plant Sales - The Walled Garden at Altamont
Address: Altamont Gardens, Tullow, Co. Carlow
Contact: Robert Miller
t: + 353 (0) 87 9822135
e: altamontplants@hotmail.com
w: www.carlowtourism.com/gardens.html
An unmissable highlight of a visit to Altamont Gardens is the Walled Garden situated within the grounds of the estate and run privately by gardener and nursery man Robert Miller. The area consists primarily of the Corona North Commemorative Border planted to honor the late Corona, owner of Altamont. Many of the plants were donated to the border by friends of Corona and fellow great Irish gardeners. To name a few these include Irish pumula “Lady Moore”, who was the wife on an ex-National Botanic Garden’s director at Glasnevin. A Hellebores torquatus was donated from the above mentioned Lady Moore to David Shackleton and in turn gifted to the border by Helen Dillon. Famous gardens who donated to the border include Beechpark, Lucan, The Dillon Garden, Ranelagh, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Airfield, Dundrum, all located in Co. Dublin, Mount Congrive, Co. Waterford and Birr Castle, Co. Offaly. Many other large and small gardens made an important and lasting contribution to the overall themes of the borders. The borders together make up one of the largest of its kind in the country and tells the story of Irish horticulture, or rather lots of stories, woven into a seamless, living tapestry.
Each border had its own individual theme and colour from striking reds to cool white and blues, romantic pinks and warm yellow glows. The scent of lavender fills the air over the summer months. The borders are planted mainly with herbaceous perennials with roses and trees, some with a fascinating history. Other items of interest include the living willow tunnel, 200 year old Medler tree and the composting area. If you would like to pick up a little piece of Irish gardening history then Altamont Plant Sales, located within the borders, is the place to head where many of the plants grown in the border and throughout the gardens at Altamont can be purchased. A visit is a must during snowdrop time in spring, summer and early autumn.
“The story weaves the fabric of Irish gardening; its warp and weft are the interplay between gardens, people and plants.” – Jane Powers The Irish Garden November/December 1999
Directions: For directions please see details of Altamont Gardens.
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Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre
Address: Kilkenny Road (N9), Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow.
Contact: Rachel Doyle
t: + 353 (0) 59 9721558
f: + 353 (0) 59 9721642
e: sales@arboretum.ie
Ireland’s first 5 star garden centre
w: www.arboretum.ie
Commitment to excellent customer service, quality products, unbeatable choice and value for money has earned Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre the coveted title of Bord Bia National Garden Centre of the Year for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year and All Ireland Garden Centre of the Year in 2006.
Arboretum Lifestyle and Garden Centre is far more than a place for the gardening enthusiast. It’s an entire shopping experience: a place to savour the myriad of interesting items dotted throughout the store. Spacious and well laid out, the centre guides visitors through elegant displays of garden furnishing, pot plants, outdoor plants, an extensive gift section, hand crafted furniture and lots more. An entire day can be devoted to the visit, wandering through the fantastic range of items available, seeking expert advice from friendly staff or enjoying a delicious meal or cup of coffee in the tranquil setting of Mulberry’s Restaurant. Year round the centre is a delight to visit reflecting the changing seasons of the gardeners’ world.
On site the Arboretum Retail Park features individual complimentary units – the Natural Stone Centre & Pat Coughlan Garden Equipment – while a Pets & Aquatics Shop covering over 330 sq. metres offers a variety of tropical fish, rabbits and hamsters and foods, toys and treats for animals.
Facilities:
Toilets, large car and coach park, wheelchair accessible, restaurant with wine licence. Pet shop, conference centre, mini associated retail park.
Directions: 9.5 km south of Carlow town near Leighlinbridge on the N9 to Kilkenny. Well signposted.
Opening times: Monday – Saturday 9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.,
Sunday 11.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m., Bank Holidays 9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.
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Ashlawn Garden Centre, Donore, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow
Tel: 059-9721175
Fax: 059-9721175
Email: ashlawngardencentre@eircom.net
Website: www.carlowtourism.com/gardens.html
Conveniently situated close to the town of Bagenalstown in an open country setting, Ashlawn Garden Centre is a family run business where excellent service and advice is on hand in a friendly and informative manner. Our plants are our pride and joy and there is something for everyone here, catering for the expert gardener to the complete novice with specially selected ranges to suit different needs and budgets.
Ashlawn Garden Centre offers a wide range of healthy trees, shrubs, roses and perennials at outstandingly good value while the garden shop stocks a large selection of terracotta, plastic pots, window boxes, oak barrels, hanging baskets, brackets, sprays and fertilizers. A new range of water fountains, bird baths, lights and all sizes in garden sheds are now available. Our extensive nursery caters for large planting schemes – please ask for a quote. We will willingly source any type of plant but we have a range of unusual shrubs and trees second to none in stock.
Facilities: Toilets, car park
Directions: Situated 2 km outside Bagenalstown off the Borris road (R705). Take the first turn to the left after the railway bridge. Ashlawn Garden Centre is 1 km on the left hand side of the road.
Opening times:
January 9.00am - 4.00pm, Mon - Thurs. 9.00am - 3.30pm Fri. Closed
weekends.
February: 9.00am - 4.00pm, 7 days per week
March: 9.00am - 5.00pm, 7 days per week
April: 9.00am - 6.00pm, 7 days per week
May - August: 9.00am - 7.30pm, 7 days per week
September: 9.00am - 6.30pm, 7 days per week
October: 9.00am - 5.30pm, 7 days per week
Nov - Dec: 9.00am - 4.00pm, Mon - Thurs. 9.00am - 3.30pm, Fri. Closed weekends. Check for Christmas opening times.
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Delta Garden Centre and Sensory Gardens
Address: Strawhall Industrial Estate, Carlow
Contact: Eileen Brophy
t: + 353 (0) 59 9143527
f: + 353 (0) 59 9130280
e: info @deltacentre.org
w: www.deltacentre.org
The DeltaCentre runs a very busy garden centre with a wide range of shrubs and plants for sale. They also stock hanging baskets and window boxes and a range of garden accessories which include garden ornaments and fountains. Whatever the season you will find suitable plants – bulbs for spring and autumn flowering, bedding plants in summer, herbaceous perennials and of course shrubs for all year round interest. Expert horticultural advice is on hand from highly qualified and friendly staff.
Delta Sensory Gardens are an ambitious new project, consisting of a series of interconnecting gardens of a multi-sensory nature covering 2.5 acres. The first of their kind in Ireland they combine the attraction of a tourist facility with a therapeutic focus and benefit, for people of all abilities. A combination of both formal and informal landscapes allow visitors to meander round at will, watch splashing fountains and waterfalls, enjoy herbs and perfumed plants, many in raised beds (suitable for access by wheelchair), watch fish, reflect on sculptures or simply sit around and enjoy flowers and foliage. The gardens include a water and woodland garden, a sculpture garden, a heather and conifer garden, a musical garden and a formal rose garden amongst others.
FACILITIES: Car park, toilets, wheelchair accessible, restaurant.
LOCATION: Strawhall Industrial Estate is located off Cannery Road on the outskirts of Carlow town close to the Athy Road junction.
OPENING TIMES: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. Weekends and groups by appointment. Please check in at reception upon arrival.
ADMISSION CHARGES: €5 per adult. Special rate of €4 per adult applies on Sunday 5th August 2007. Children free.
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Hardymount Gardens
Address: Tullow, Co. Carlow.
Contact: Sheila Reeves-Smyth
t: + 353 (0) 59 9151769
One of the largest Spanish chestnuts in the country greets you on arrival to one hectare of lawns and shrubs surrounded by magnificent beech and oak trees. A wonderful walled garden behind the house contains many unusual plants and flowers in the herbaceous border. The grass paths take you past the pond with lilies and fish to the apple tree area and a vegetable garden. A Summer House at the end of the garden in a sheltered corner provides a quiet area for rest and relaxation. A truly amazing walled garden full of colour and vigour, matches the owner’s enthusiasm and commitment to gardening.
Facilities: Wheelchair accessible
Directions: From Dublin - through the town of Tullow onto the Bunclody road N81. Turn right after the Statoil petrol station. Turn right at next cross roads – the gardens are 600 yards on the right hand side.
Opening times: Sundays and Bank Holidays 2.00 – 6.00 p.m. during the Wicklow Gardens Festival May to August. Other times by appointment only.
Admission fee: Adults €5.00
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Herb Gardens @ Kilgraney House, Borris Road, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow
Contact: Bryan Leech
t: + 353 (0) 59 9775283
f: + 353 (0) 59 9775595
e: info@kilgraneyhouse.com
w: www.kilgraneyhouse.com
Kilgraney takes its name from the Irish “cill greine” which means “sunny hill” or “sunny wood”. These wooded and secluded grounds overlook the tranquil Barrow valley and are situated halfway between Carlow and Kilkenny.
Consisting of a series of interconnecting herbal gardens there is a large kitchen garden, a tea walk, a medicinal herb courtyard, a medieval monastic herb garden and a garden of aromatic and fragrant herbs.
The enclosed kitchen garden supplies the guesthouse with fruit, vegetables and herbs and has been run on organic lines for almost 10 years. It consists of gravel paths and eleven raised timber beds of varying sizes grouped to form a modern potager. Here you will find unusual leafy plants such as mibuna, mizuna and komatsuna amongst more traditional salad varieties. Next to the kitchen garden is the tea walk, a short gravel path lined on one side with plants suitable for infusions and herbal teas. The medicinal garden, set in a granite courtyard, consists of nine raised beds in Irish oak timber. Each bed is planted with herbs suitable for treating a particular part of the body. In the lower courtyard you will find an aromatic garden planted with herbs for fragrance and also for their usefulness in cosmetic preparations. Finally in an adjoining courtyard there is a modern interpretation of a medieval monastic herb garden with four oak raised beds surrounded on two sides by an oak timber cloister. The main house is not open to garden visitors.
Facilities: Car park, toilets, restricted access for wheelchairs. We regret the main house is not open to visitors.
Directions: Situated just off the R705. Kilgraney is halfway between Bagenalstown and Borris.
Opening times: May – September on Sunday afternoons 2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. Groups by prior appointment only.
Admission fee: €8.00 per person including light refreshment (Herbal Tea/Tea/coffee and biscuits).
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Huntington Castle and Gardens, Clonegal, Co. Carlow
t: + 353 () 53 9377552
f: + 353 (0) 539377160
e: genova@eircom.net
w: www.carlowtourism.com/gardens.html
These gardens were mainly laid out in the 17th century by the Esmondes who built Huntington Castle in 1625. These include the French limes on the Avenue, the lawns to the side of the house, the fishponds on either side of the centre walk through the wilderness and the majority of Yew trees which comprise the Yew Tree Walk.
Larger plantings have resulted in Huntington possessing a number of champion trees, including four varieties of Hickory, a Cut Leaf Oak, Siberian Crab and Buckeye Chestnut. A lake at the bottom of the wilderness was built for ornamental purposes but next to it is one of the earliest water turbine houses in Ireland, providing Huntington with its own electricity as early as 1888. Both the lake and turbine house are to be restored in the near future. The River Derry flows along the bottom of the wilderness, providing a pleasant setting for woodland walks.
“The first thing that strikes you about Huntington, apart from the derelict beauty which hangs over most of the Ascendancy buildings, are the palm trees. Several tall specimens suddenly appear at the end of the long yew tree avenue” – Mal Rogers, Aer Lingus Cara Magazine August 2005.
The River Derry flows along the bottom of the wilderness, providing a pleasant setting for woodland walks.
Facilities: Car park, toilets, restricted access for wheelchairs, guided tours of Huntington Castle.
Directions: In the village of Clonegal – well signposted.
Opening times: June – August inclusive. Open at other times by arrangement.
Admission fee: Adults €6, Senior Citizens & children under 12 €4.00
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| Leighlinbridge – The Garden Village, Co. Carlow
Contact: Mary Meaney, Secretary - Leighlinbridge Improvement Group
t: + 353 (0) 86 6027751
w:www.carlowtourism.com/leighlinbridgegardenvillage.html
The Leighlinbridge district is rich in history, favoured with fertile land and enhanced by the River Barrow which meanders slowly through the village. The foundation for its beauty lies directly with its people who demonstrate a sense of pride and work tirelessly to preserve and enhance this unique area. This pride is evidenced by a range of gardens, built and designed by the local community to commemorate various aspects of village life over the years.
"It is a place of infinite tranquility and restfulness, an inspired use of a simple setting in this village of special charm" - Excerpt from the judging committee of the Barrow Awards Scheme on Leighlinbridge.
The Millennium Garden consists of seven small individual gardens, each with its own theme represented by trees, shrubs and stones. Using materials indigenous to the local area, the garden tells the story of life through a series of themes including peace and tranquillity, happiness, friendship, reconciliation, hope, harmony and eternity.
The Vivaldi Garden is based on Vivaldi’s musical concerto “The Four Seasons” and comprises four formal gardens, each depicting a season of the year. To create a formal effect each rectangle is lined with Buxus Sempervirens and formed into triangles with Lavendula. Each season is represented by specific planting including Primula and Rosemary Prostrata for spring. Campanula and Astilbies symbolise summer while autumn is characterised by a number of plants including Sedum, Lobelia Cardinalis and Sedum Spectabiles. In winter the garden is still a joy to visit planted with Erica December Red, Erica Sprindwood pink and Carex sempervirens.
The Garden of Remembrance beside the River Barrow commemorates important occasions in the history of the village including the visit of the Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulrooney, a World War 1 Memorial and the Entente Florale Gold Award. A number of commemorative trees have been planted together with ballerina roses and shrubs.
The Sculpture Garden is dedicated to three of Leighlinbridge’s most famous sons – Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran – Australia’s first Cardinal, John Tyndall, the mountaineer and scientist who developed the light pipe, the forerunner to fibre optics and Captain Myles Keogh, second in command to General Custer who lost his life at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876 at the hands of the Sioux.
Facilities: restaurant, garden centre, hotel, pub, castle, historic buildings, angling, walking routes, picnic site.
Directions: 9km south of Carlow town off the N9 to Kilkenny.
Opening times: All gardens are located outdoors and can be seen during daylight hours.
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Morgans Garden Centre, Green Road, Carlow
t: + 353 (0) 59 9143092
f: + 353 (0) 59 9143179
Based on the outskirts of Carlow town, Morgan’s Garden Centre is a family run garden centre which has developed and grown rapidly in recent years to become recognised as a leading garden centre.
This award winning centre features a well-stocked shop and extensive covered plant sales area for summer bedding and seasonal plants, most of which are grown in the adjoining nursery. All trees, shrubs, roses & heathers are sourced from leading Irish nurseries ensuring high quality plants.
Visitors are guaranteed something for every season – bedding & patio plants for spring & summer, pottery, stoneware and water features with bulbs, hedging and trees for autumn. Advice is provided by trained and experienced staff who will give ideas and tips for your garden and answer all your gardening queries. Service is guaranteed to be friendly, helpful and efficient.
Facilities: carpark, toilet and wheelchair accessible
Directions: Morgan’s is located on the edge of Carlow town just off the Kilkenny road. First left after Carlow Institute of Technology. Well signposted.
Opening times: Monday – Saturday 9.30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Bank Holidays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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Oak Park Forest Park, Oark Park, Carlow
t: 059-9136289 or 059-9131554
f: 059-9141503 or 059-9170776
e: soneill@carlowcoco.ie or carlowtouristoffice@failteireland.ie
w: www.carlow.ie or www.carlowtourism.com/gardens.html
There are few locations which could rival the beauty and tranquility of Oak Park Forest Park. Ideal for leisurely strolls and walks, a visit here is a relaxing and pleasurable experience and a must for any visitor to Co. Carlow. Colour coded circular walkways of varying lengths with excellent surfaces and easy gradients make a visit here an enjoyable experience for young and old alike.
The park is a mature, mixed species woodland of over 120 acres with a predominance of Beech, Oak, Scots Pine, Silver Fir, Larch and Sycamore. The proximity of the walkways to the extensive collection of ferns, mosses and woodland flora provides the visitor with an ideal opportunity to interact with nature. Boasting a rich diversity of wildlife, the lakes and their surrounds provide a habitat for swans and ducks, while the islands shelter many wild and game birds. The Woodland Walks have been laid out to encompass the broadest range of natural features. Extending over 4 kilometres they include Butlers Wood Loop (700 metres), the Lake Path (800 metres), Fox Covert Track (1100 metres) and Sally Island Trail (1700 metres).
Situated on the outskirts of Carlow town, the park is an oasis of tranquility and a popular destination for walking and educational visits. The park also features a picnic area, informal leisure areas and seating at regular intervals.
Facilities: wheelchair accessible toilets, large car park, outdoor picnic tables. With the exception of the island section of the Lake Path, all the other walks are wheelchair accessible
Directions: Take the first right after Toughers Restaurant (on the outskirts of Carlow town) traveling from Castledermot to Carlow N9. Take a left at the next junction. Clearly signposted. Access also possible off Cannery Road on the outskirts of Carlow town.
Opening times: April: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. May to September. 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Rest of year 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 days per week
Admission fee: free of charge
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Rathvilly Garden Centre
Rathvilly (on N81), Co. Carlow
t: 059-9161594/087-8344582
f: 059-9161296
Rathvilly Garden Centre is a family run business, operated by Dermot and Caroline Byrne who pride themselves on offering a comprehensive range of home grown bedding plants and shrubs for the gardening enthusiast. Their commitment and high quality standards earned them the title of Best New Entry 2006 in the Bord Bia Garden Centre Quality Awards. This country garden centre is set on 4 acres (2 hectares) with a 1 acre (.5 hectare) amenity garden with picnic and children’s play area. A large covered plant area also includes a fine gift shop which stocks pottery, candles, doll houses and summer houses, garden furniture & conservatory (indoor and outdoor). The garden centre features a range of bulbs, seeds, garden tools and a large selection of trees, shrubs, container pots, fruit trees, patio slabs, outdoor pots, moss peat, trellis and fencing.
FACILITIES: Wheelchair accessible, toilet (wheelchair) and picnic tables.
HOW TO FIND US: 2 miles from Rathvilly and 4 miles from Baltinglass on the Rathvilly – Baltinglass N81 road. Well signposted.
OPENING TIMES: Sunday 11 – 6. Weekdays 9 – 6.
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Rathwood Home, Gift & Garden World
Address: Rath, Tullow, Co. Carlow
Contact: Patrick & Carmel Keogh
t: + 353 (0) 59 9156285
f: + 353 (0) 59 9156239
e: info@rathwood.com
w: www.rathwood.com
Rathwood is a four star quality award winning Centre, with a superb gift and furniture shop. Its themed displays give you great ideas to help create your own interior designed room at home. A visit to the Exhibition house on site is also a must. Rathwood’s fine food restaurant serves delicious lunches and home baking.
Rathwood’s Walled Garden Centre offers an impressive selection of plants, many rare and unusual, garden furniture, outdoor living accessories and pots. A full size train gives kiddie (and adult!) rides around Rathwood Park. Included in Rathwood’s Park will be a new children’s play area, pet’s corner, wild flower meadow and woodland walks.
The Woodland Walks project will be the first of its kind in Ireland and it is a partnership between Coillte, a landowner (Rathwood!) and a local community group. There will be a short wheelchair/
child’s buggy walk to a lake and a longer looped walk through the 185 acre Wood. Access to all walks will be from Rathwood’s car park.
With the furniture and Interiors shop and new food hall recently opened, now is a perfect time to visit Rathwood.
FACILITIES: Award winning Centre, consisting of gift and furniture shop, garden centre and restaurant, train, tourist information point, parking facilities for up to 300 cars, large coach park, helicopter landing area, toilets, wheelchair access, outdoor children’s play area, pets corner, woodland walks.
HOW TO FIND US: 4km from Tullow on the R725 to Shillelagh.
OPENING TIMES : Monday to Saturday 9.30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Public/Bank holidays 9.30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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